Than on the torture of the mind to lie In restless ecstacy.- -Duncan is in his grave;— Treason has done his worst; nor steel, nor poison, Lady. Come on; Gentle my lord, Sleek o'er your rugged looks; be bright and jovial Macb. O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife! Lady. What's to be done? Macb. Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest Till thou applaud the deed.—Come, seeling night, And, with thy bloody and invisible hand, crow Makes wing to the rooky wood: Good things of day begin to droop and drowse; SCENE III. A Park, near the Palace, at Fores. Enter the Two Officers. 1 Off. The west yet glimmers with some streaks of day: Now spurs the lated traveller apace, To gain the timely inn; and near approaches 2 Off. Hark! I hear horses. Ban. [Within.] Give us a light there, ho! That are within the note of expectation, 2 Off. His horses go about. 1 Off. Almost a mile: but he does usually, So all men do, from hence to the palace gate, Make it their walk. 2 Off. A light, a light! 1 Off. 'Tis he. Enter Fleance, with a Torch, and Banquo. Ban. It will rain to-night. [Exeunt Fleance and Banquo. 1 Off. Let it come down. [Exeunt Officers. Ban. [Within.] O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance. fly, fly, fly! Fie. [Within.] Murder! murder! murder! Ban. [Within.] Thou may'st revenge.—O, slave!— O, O, 0! Enter Officers. 1 Off. Who did strike out the light? 2 Off. Was't not the way?. [Dies. 1 Off. There's but one down; the son is fled. 2 Off. We have lost best half of our affair. 1 Off. Well, let's away, and say how much is done. [Exeunt. SCENE IV. The Banqueting Room, in the Palace, at Fores. Music.—A Banquet prepared. MACBETH, LADY MACBETH, ROSSE, LENOX, SEYTON, ATTENDANTS, GUARDS, &c. discovered. Macb. You know your own degrees, sit down: at first, And last, the hearty welcome. Rosse. Thanks to your majesty. Macb. Ourself will mingle with society, And play the humble host: Our hostess keeps her state; but, in best time, We will require her welcome. Lady. Pronounce it for me, sir, to all our friends; For my heart speaks, they are welcome. Macb. See, they encounter thee with their hearts` thanks : Both sides are even: Here I'll sit i'the midst : - Enter First Officer. There's blood upon thy face. 1 Off. "Tis Banquo's then. Macb. Is he despatch'd? 1 Off. My lord, his throat is cut: that I did for him. Mach. Thou art the best o'the cut-throats: Yet he's good, That did the like for Fleance. 1 Off. Most royal sir, Fleance is 'scap'd. Macb. Then comes my fit again: I had else been perfect; Whole as the marble, founded as the rock: As broad, and general, as the casing air: But now, I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confin'd, bound in With twenty trenched gashes on his head; Macb. Thanks for that: There the grown serpent lies: the worm, that's fled, Hath nature that in time will venom breed, No teeth for the present.—Get thee gone; to-morrow We'll hear ourselves again. Lady. My royal lord, [Exit OFFICER. You do not give the cheer: the feast is sold, That is not often vouch'd, while 'tis a-making, 'Tis given with welcome: to feed, were best at From thence, the sauce to meat is ceremony; Meeting were bare without it. Macb. Sweet remembrancer! Now, good digestion wait on appetite, Len. May it please your highness sit? Macb. Here had we now our country's honour roof'd, Were the grac'd person of our Banquo present; Rosse, His absence, sir, Lays blame upon his promise. Please it your high ness To grace us with your royal company ? Macb. The table's full. Len. Here is a place reserv'd, sir. Macb. Where? Len. Here, my good lord. What is't that moves your highness? Macb. Which of you have done this? Len. What, my good lord? Macb. Thou canst not say, I did it: never shake Thy gory locks at me. Rosse. Gentlemen, rise; his highness is not well. Lady. Sit, worthy friends :—my lord is often thus, And hath been from his youth: 'pray you, keep seat; The fit is momentary; upon a thought He will again be well: If much you note him, Macb. Ay, and a bold one, that dare look on that Which might appall the devil. Lady. O, proper stuff! This is the very painting of your fear; This is the air-drawn dagger, which, you said, Authoriz'd by her grandam. Shame itself! Macb. 'Prythee, see there! behold! look! lo!- Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too.— |